By Joy Omagha Idam
In an era where effective communication has become indispensable to governance, the ability to manage public perception during challenging times has emerged as one of the defining qualities of successful leadership. For the Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, that ability has now earned national recognition.
Waiya has been named one of the three finalists in the Crisis Communicator category of the 2026 National Spokespersons Awards (NS Awards), placing him among Nigeria’s most outstanding public communication professionals.
His nomination was formally communicated in a letter dated June 22, 2026, signed by the Chairman of the Planning Committee of the National Spokespersons Awards, Segun McMedal, notifying him of his selection after a rigorous screening and evaluation process.
The National Spokespersons Awards, organised by Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR), publishers of PRNigeria and Spokespersons Digest, have grown into Nigeria’s leading platform for recognising excellence in public communication, reputation management and strategic engagement across both the public and private sectors.
According to the organisers, this year’s competition attracted a large number of entries, making it one of the most competitive editions since the awards were established. After completing the first and second stages of assessment, the panel of judges announced 42 finalists across 16 award categories, reflecting what they described as the increasing professionalism and sophistication of Nigeria’s communication industry.
Chairman of the Jury, Professor Saudat Abdulbaqi, explained that all entries underwent a comprehensive assessment beginning with an eligibility screening. Out of the submissions received, 91 entries met the required standards and advanced to the second phase of evaluation.
She noted that each entry was assessed based on measurable impact, innovation, originality, audience reach and the quality of evidence submitted, including publications, reports and digital documentation. According to her, the transparent process ensured that only communication professionals who demonstrated excellence in media engagement, crisis response, stakeholder management and strategic communication advanced to the final stage.
At the conclusion of the exercise, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, Lere Olayinka of the Federal Capital Territory Administration and Dan Nwomeh of the Enugu State Government emerged as the three finalists in the highly coveted Crisis Communicator category.
For many observers, Waiya’s nomination reflects the growing national recognition of his approach to public information management since assuming office as Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs. Within two years in office, he has overseen several initiatives aimed at strengthening communication between government and citizens, improving access to information and promoting transparency in governance.
His work has also earned him recognition from several professional and media organisations, including the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Nigerian Society of Broadcasters (NSB), the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), among others.
The 2026 National Spokespersons Awards, jointly organised by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and Spokespersons Digest, are designed to celebrate individuals and organisations that have distinguished themselves in strategic communication, media relations, crisis management and public engagement.
The winners in all categories are expected to be announced at the award ceremony scheduled for August 2026, where Nigeria’s finest spokespersons and communication professionals will be honoured for their outstanding contributions to the advancement of the profession.
For Waiya, making the final shortlist is not only a personal milestone but also a reflection of the growing importance of effective communication in modern governance and public administration.